SKULL BASE CHONDROSARCOMA - REPORT OF A S PHENOTEMPORAL LOCALIZATION AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

A review of the 180 published cases emphasizes the rarity of this tumo ur originating of the skull base synchondrosis and occuring in young p atients. MRI forms the basis of the topographic work-up but does not f ormally distinguish it from chordoma. Diagnosis is confirmed by histol ogy which establishes a prognostic scale. Immunohistochemistry elimina tes chondroid chordoma by demonstrating a mesenchymatous phenotype. On ly enlarged tumour removal can prolong survival even though improvemen ts have been made in high energy radiation therapy and radiosurgery. C ases of recurrence or rare metastasis are probably due to incomplete e xeresis and in most cases linked to high grade histology tumours.